Step 1: Eligibility

The Basics

Are you eligible for federal financial aid? Good question. California community colleges currently serve more than one million students with financial aid, totaling more than $2.7 billion annually (2014-15 academic year). To meet the basic requirements, you have to:

Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen [see the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for more detail]

Be working toward a degree, certificate or eligible goal (such as transfer to a four-year college or university)

Not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal educational loan

Be a high school graduate or have the equivalent of a high school diploma, like a California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) or a General Education Diploma (GED)

Not have been convicted of drug possession or sales in the recent past (see the FAFSA for more detail)

Other Factors to Consider

The amount of financial aid you can receive depends on:

Your family's size

The number of your family members in college

Your family's income and assets

Your college costs, including enrollment fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other education-related expenses

Your eligibility can depend on other things too, like when you apply, when you respond to requests from the financial aid office, and whether you have any types of special eligibility. It's important to get applications in on time and stay in communication with your college financial aid office. Your college financial aid office can explain eligibility to you in more detail and answer any specific questions you may have.

Eligibility Chart

Use the chart below as a quick reference to determine the types of aid you may qualify for at California community colleges. Once you have an overview, check the Types of Aid page to find out more about how fee waivers, grants, work study, loans and scholarships can help you achieve your educational goals.

Type of Aid

What You Can Get

Eligibility Requirements

For More Info

California College Promise Grant (Formerly known as the Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver)

Varies

If you qualify for a Cal Grant or have financial need, you may receive a fee waiver

Completing the FAFSA is recommended, regardless of the type of fee waiver, to qualify for other federal and state aid

Once you've qualified for the California College Promise Grant, it's important to ensure that you're meeting the academic and progress standards in order to avoid losing it.